Doctor of Agriculture and Environment DAgEnv

Course facts

Name: Doctor of Agriculture and Environment

Qualification: DAgEnv

Duration: Part-time: 6 years; Full-time: 3 years

The main aim of the DAgEnv is to strengthen specialist scientific skills in strategically important areas, through flexible, postgraduate training for people in work. It provides an innovative way for people in work to improve their research skills while supporting the innovation capabilities of the candidate’s company.

The course is aimed at professionals in the agri-food industry, conservation and environment, and agricultural policy decision makers, as well as full-time students wishing to pursue a post-graduate degree that culminates in employability in these sectors.

The programme aims to equip candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge: to create and interpret new knowledge through original research; to be able to apply new knowledge in an industrial context; to conceptualize, design and implement an advanced R&D project; to publish and communicate research outcomes in peer reviewed academic and technical journals and at academic and technical conferences; to make informed judgements on complex issues in the chosen specialist field; and to be able to act independently to undertake applied research and in solving complex problems.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

The course is in two parts. Part 1 comprises one compulsory (core) and two optional modules, plus a preliminary research project to produce a dissertation of 20-40,000 words. This can be based upon the analysis of existing data from the candidate’s workplace.

Research Methods Module (Core)

This provides the tools needed for the dissertation: research design, literature review, ethical considerations, statistics, and preparing a research proposal. A ‘knowledge bank’ of ideas, questions and solutions from current and previous students is provided on-line.

Optional Modules:

Agriculture and Society

Global Food Security

Climate Change

Upland Farming Systems

Carbon Footprinting & Life Cycle Assessment

Soil Management

Part 2 comprises a longer research thesis (up to 60,000 – 80.000 words). It will involve the collection of research data and must embody the methodology and results of original research. For students in work it should be linked to the research needs of their employer and may build upon, but be substantially different to, work conducted for Part 1. The principal supervisor will be a Bangor academic, but we encourage participation by the candidate’s employer.

First or second class honours degree in a relevant subject, such as Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Agriculture. A lesser degree plus a minimum of two years relevant work experience would be considered, as would mature students without a degree but with at least two years relevant work experience in a position of demonstrable responsibility.

Application advice

Applications for research degrees differ substantially from applications for taught courses such as Masters degrees. Although the application form is the same, the way in which you approach your application can make all the difference.

Applying for a self-funded or externally-funded Research Degree

As with all of our courses, you can apply to fund yourself through a PhD/Mphil at Bangor, or you may already have sourced external funding (e.g. from your employer or government), and we warmly welcome all expressions of interest in so doing. However, rather than simply filling in an application form, there are a few steps that you can take in order that your application stands a greater chance of being successful.

All PhD/Mphil students require supervision from at least one academic member of staff at the University, and if you are considering a PhD/Mphil, you will already have a good idea of the specific area or theme that you want to research. In order to ascertain that we hold sufficient expertise in your chosen topic to provide supervision, you should first look at our staff pages. This will provide you with a breakdown of each staff member’s area of academic focus.

Once you have found a member of staff whose research interests broadly accord with your own, you should contact them directly with a concise research ‘brief’ that outlines your proposal and ask whether s/he would consider supervising your project. If the academic expresses his/her interest, you may then further discuss your ideas and develop a full PhD/Mphil research proposal.

At this stage, you should formally apply online for the PhD/Mphil programme. You should fill the form out thoroughly, including academic references, your research proposal and the name of the academic member of staff under whose supervision you intend the research to be conducted.

Your research proposal

A good research proposal is essential if you are applying for a PhD or MPhil. The proposal should include:

Overview – give a brief abstract of the subject area you wish to research and include information on the key theoretical, policy or empirical debates that will be addressed.

Planning – you need to demonstrate that you are aware of the research timescales and have a plan in place to conduct your work. You need to demonstrate that the research is manageable in the given time period.

Literature references – you need to show that your planned area of research has not been studied before. Provide references to key articles and texts relevant to your area of study.

Methodology – you need to show that you are aware of the methodological tools available and have identified which ones would be suitable for your research.

Applying for funded PhD studentships advertised by Bangor University

Funded PhD studentship opportunities arise frequently throughout the year, and are advertised as specific opportunities for which you must formally apply. The application process for funded PhD studentships may differ according to the academic School in which the studentship opportunity is held, so please check the relevant School’s homepage and follow the application advice therein. If you are unsure of any part of the application process, please contact the individual School for advice, or e-mail postgraduatestudy@bangor.ac.uk.

Online applications can now be made by prospective applicants for all postgraduate taught programmes and postgraduate research programmes at the University (with the exception of the PGCE, Diploma in Occupational Therapy and DClinPsy).

International students with admissions queries please contact...

When do I Apply?

The University will accept applications throughout the year. We would generally advise that you submit your application in enough time for you to make any funding and/or accommodation arrangements, and for documents such as transcripts and references to be obtained if not submitted with the application.This will also give you more time to meet any conditions we may potentially attach to an offer (e.g. in the case of overseas students, taking an IELTS or TOEFL test to meet the English Language requirement).

Students are likely already employed in, for example, advisory and policy/advocacy roles, executive management, agriculture and agribusiness consultancy, the agricultural finance sector, land and catchment management agencies, natural resource management, agricultural education and training or as rural consultants. The programme prepares you for more senior roles in R&D and other technical positions in these industries where advanced science training is important.